Committee of Public Accounts to discuss St James’s Hospital 2024 financial statements

The meeting at 10.30am in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will be joined by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr Seamus McCarthy, and representatives from St James’s Hospital, led by the CEO and Accounting Officer, Mary Day. 

St James’s Hospital operates under a Section 38 service level agreement with the HSE. Subject to oversight by the Board, the regular day to day management, control and direction of St James’s Hospital are the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer and the senior management team.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy John Brady said: “St James’s Hospital’s income is almost entirely sourced from public funding sources. In 2024, the HSE allocated a grant of €682.6 million for day-to-day running of the hospital and a capital grant of €20.9 million. Income from external agencies totalled €18.5 million in 2024, made up of income related to pathology and other income from unspecified external agencies. This income may include funding from the National Treatment Purchase Fund, but this is not explained in the financial statements. 

Key issues for the Committee for this engagement are the provision of services in a safe and timely manner, services provided through St. James’s Hospital employees company, out of time claims to insurers, and non-compliant procurement.” 

Watch the meeting live here or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.